Generals of the Danish Army in the First and Second Schleswig-Holstein Wars, 1848-50 and 1864 : Rye, Du Plat, Schleppegrell

The first half of the 19th Century was a turbulent but momentous time for Denmark.

From being a sizeable nation in Europe it was decimated, first in the Napoleonic Wars with the loss of Norway, then in 1864 with the loss of Schleswig-Holstein.

In this book the author examines, in great detail, three Danish generals who began their careers as officers in Norway and Russia, and who were all killed in either 1848-50 or 1864.

Olaf Rye was born in 1791 in Norway on the Bofarm in the Telemarken region.

As a young officer Rye was in the Norwegian army during the wars with Sweden in 1808 and 1814 but only saw action in 1814.

By 1847 he had become a battalion commander. During the First Schleswig-Holstein War in 1848 and 49 he commanded a brigade succesfully in several battles until he was killed in 1849 at Fredericia.

Friederich Adolph Schleppergrell was born in 1792 on a farm near Larvik in Norway.

He participated in several minor actions during the war with Sweden in 1808 and 1814 as a First Lieutenant.

After the Napoleonic Wars he returned to Denmark and was attached to the garrison of Alborg until 1848, by which date he had advanced to Lieutenant Colonel.

At the outbreak of the war he became brigade commander and participated in several battles during the year.

Claude du Plat was born in 1809 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

He became an officer and served with the Royal Guard.

During the Second Schleswig Holstein War of 1864 he commanded the 2nd Division during its retreat from the Dannevirke and the defence of the Dybbol redoubts.

He was killed during the Prussian attack on the redoubts 18th April 1864. The lives of these three officers has been thoroughly researched from Danish sources.

The book is well illustrated with a number of rare images and colour maps.

Continuing Helion's successful series of 19th Century European military studies, this book will be produced in a limited-edition hardback printing of 500 copies (all individually numbered and signed by the author).